Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council volunteer Isaac Greco, a 17-year-old Saratoga Springs High School student, prepares a bag of groceries for a family of four. (ERICA MILLER/emiller@saratogian.com)

Saratoga Springs High School student Nate Butterly, 18, a volunteer at the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council food pantry, grabs a loaf of bread while preparing a bag of groceries for a family of four. (ERICA MILLER/emiller@saratogian.com)

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Local food pantries are facing the same challenges as many others throughout the state -- increased demand and a need for more donations.

According to a new study released by the Hunger Action Network of New York State, 89 percent of food pantries and soup kitchens reported serving more people in 2012 than in other recent years.

The trend exists even though the economy is somewhat better now than it was at the height of the "Great Recession" two to three years ago.

"That doesn't mean it's better for everyone," Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council Executive Director Julie Hoxsie said. "People with one or more part-time jobs and no benefits are really struggling."

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The EOC's food pantry served 3,300 families -- 10,452 people -- in the first 11 months of this year alone, and the number of people seeking help in 2012 and 2011 was up 20 percent from 2009.

The EOC food pantry set new records for food assistance in August and October, and its shelves have been bare on more than one occasion. It's believed demand shot up in August because families were buying back-to-school clothing and supplies and needed help putting food on the table.

Hoxsie said she's not sure why requests were so high in October.

The EOC food pantry relies almost entirely on local food and cash donations and gets a small community service grant that allows it to purchase goods from a regional food bank at reduced cost.

"When people donate, we can buy more food," she said. "We always need non-perishable items."

The state has around 2,500 emergency food providers, including food pantries and soup kitchens.

According to the new study, about 20 percent of people served by food pantries are seniors, and one third are children.

The number of seniors seeking help is up dramatically, Hunger Action Network spokesman Mark Dunlea said.

Lack of work is driving increased demand for food assistance, he said. New York state has an 8.3 percent unemployment rate.

"There needs to be more jobs out there and people need to be paid more money," Dunlea said.

Donations to provider agencies are down because the middle class provides most donations, "and they are still having a hard time making ends meet," he said.

Franklin Community Center's food pantry has served more than 7,000 people this year, compared to 6,000 in 2011, said Bo Goliber, the center's coordinator of development.

"We have seen a dramatic jump in our numbers," she said.

The center, which relies solely on community donations, has served from 600 to 850 people per month this fall and winter.

Goliber said Franklin Community Center's income eligibility requirements are not as strict as some agencies'. For example, a single mom might have a good job, but a situation might arise -- such as a large, unexpected bill -- that would cause her to seek one-time help, and the center would be there for her.

The community center's food pantry shelves are currently full, thanks largely to a recent food drive led by Saratoga Springs students.

"We have a decent amount to get us through to February or March," Goliber said.

The biggest challenge is keeping the public informed and aware on a more regular basis.

"People just forget," she said. "We would certainly benefit from a more consistent food supply. There have been times when we've been borderline empty."